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Looking for the best things to do in Vancouver? Then you’ve come to the right place. As Vancouver locals, we’ve found the absolute best things to do, from hidden gems to popular attractions. Read about them below!
For outdoor enthusiasts, adventure lovers, or even those who are interested in food and culture, Vancouver has something exciting to offer – the trouble is knowing where to start.
That’s right, as one of the biggest cities in Canada, there is no shortage of activities and attractions in Vancouver.
So, which ones do you prioritize, and which ones do you skip? Well, luckily for you, I’ve narrowed it down.
Below, you’ll learn about the 11 ABSOLUTE BEST things to do in Vancouver. These are the activities and attractions that you really don’t want to miss.
Don’t have time to read the full article? These are our top three favorite things to do in Vancouver. These are what we show to family and friends whenever they visit us:
- Vancouver Sunset Dinner Cruise – Enjoy the city skyline from the ocean complete with live music and an incredible Canadian meal. Check availability here!
- Whale watching – Some of the best whale watching in the world is right here in Vancouver! Seeing an Orca is a bucket-list item for most people. Check availability on our favorite half-day tour here.
- Sea to Sky Gondola—Take a day trip to Whistler and stop to ride the stunning Sea to Sky Gondola. This is one of the most beautiful drives in all of Canada! Check availability here!
Top 11 Things to do in Vancouver
1. Granite Falls Zodiac Tour
If getting deep into nature and seeing things like glacial fjords and incredible waterfalls sounds like fun, then this Granite Falls adventure tour is sure to impress. This 3-hour experience highlights some of Vancouver’s most stunning natural features and takes you places most other tours don’t.
You will depart aboard the Zodiac after getting fitted for your survival suit to keep you warm during the day. After passing by the Vancouver Harbour and Siwash Rock you will head into Deep Cove and up Indian Arm.
One of the highlights of any Zodiac tour is the guides, and our guide, Amy, was fantastic. Explaining how different natural features were formed, pointing out seals and bald eagles, and even going into detail about the history of the area’s Indigenous people made this day so much fun.
Granite Falls was my favorite sight since this stunning waterfall is only accessible by boat. It really gave us a sense of adventure! On the way back you get to see another waterfall, Silver Falls, which is just as beautiful. If you have a good camera, this is the tour to bring it on!
Tickets are $159 CAD and the tour operates daily during the peak season of April to October. This is one of the most highly-rated experiences in Vancouver, so be sure not to miss out!
Check availability and book this day of adventure here!
2. Cycle in Stanley Park
This is number two on my list simply because it’s the most iconic thing to do in Vancouver. Stanley Park is one of Canada’s most famous parks, conveniently located in the heart of the city.
Stanley Park itself is over 4km² (1.4mi²), so it’s pretty big! You can walk around the park, but it will take a long time, and you will likely miss some of the best parts. That is why bicycling in Stanley Park is so popular. In particular, people cycle along the seawall, which has an allocated bicycle lane.
The seawall wraps all the way around the outer edge of Stanley Park along the water’s edge. During the entire ride, you’ll get amazing views and even be able to stop at a beach (or two) for a break and swim.
The best way to enjoy Stanley Park is on a guided bicycle tour. This way, you can relax and let your guide show you all of the top attractions. Plus, bike rental and safety equipment are included!
Our favorite bicycle tour in Stanley Park is this particular one. Not only will you get to see the best parts of Stanley Park, but this tour includes a visit to other main attractions such as Gastown, Chinatown, and taking the Aqua Ferry over to Granville Island! And the best part? It is a half-day guided tour that doesn’t cost much more than you would pay for a bicycle rental for the afternoon!
Secure your spot on this bicycle tour with FREE cancellation options here!
3. Vancouver Sunset Dinner Cruise
Doesn’t a sunset cruise in Vancouver just sound fantastic!? Nothing quite says you’re on holiday like dinner, drinks, and a magical Vancouver sunset, all while out on the water.
A cruise on the harbor is fun on its own (and there are many different types of cruises to choose from in Vancouver), but for me, this sunset cruise, complete with dinner and drinks, was my favorite. I loved the cruise so much that I decided to take my mom the last time she visited Vancouver!
The cruise set sail from the wharf near Coal Harbour, and we first headed under the Lions Gate Bridge and out to Kitsilano. As the sun began to set, we enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner complete with local salmon, roast beef, vegetables, salads, and more. Honestly, it was a fantastic dinner. Chocolate cake and cheesecake for dessert was also the perfect way to finish it all off.
We washed it down with a few too many wines, and by the time the cruise was over, we had made some beautiful memories with even better views. Oh, and did I mention the live music on board?
The sunset cruise cost us $211 CAD, and considering dinner and the service fee was included, the sunset cruise was good value.
This sunset cruise does have limited spaces, so be sure to check availability here!
4. Whale watching
Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Vancouver is to go on a whale-watching tour. From out on the open water, you’ll have the opportunity to spot various types of whales, including Humpback whales and, my favorite, Orcas.
But besides whales, you’ll also have the opportunity to spot other wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and otters.
Vancouver is surrounded by water, so you’ll cruise around the Gulf and the San Juan Islands, taking in the picturesque scenery while looking out for whales. With so many around, it’s very likely you’ll see a few!
In fact, on the cruise I did, you’re guaranted to see them, or you can return for a free cruise! On our cruise, we saw lots of whales, including a pod of five Orcas!
The best time of year to go whale watching in Vancouver is from May to October. For the half-day whale watching tour that we did, you can expect to pay $236 CAD. Tea and coffee are included on the tour as well as expert naturalists to teach you all about the whales and the area.
Honestly, seeing Orcas has always been a dream of mine, and I am so glad I finally got to see them!
5. Capilano Suspension Bridge
Visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge is another iconic Vancouver activity. It’s located only a 20-minute drive from Vancouver city center, and here, you can walk the treetop walk and cross the world-famous Capilano Suspension Bridge.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is the name of the entire area (including the huge bridge with the same name). Here, you can explore various trails through the forest and read information boards about the area. You’ll also embark on a treetop walk, including crossing various hanging bridges. There’s also a pretty cool (and scary if you’re afraid of heights) glass-floor lookout.
You only need an hour or two to explore, and the entrance fee is $66 CAD for adults. They also run a free shuttle from downtown, so you don’t have to worry about getting there.
They limit the number of people who can enter at any time, so buying your tickets in advance is a great idea. When you purchase your tickets, you’ll select a time and date to guarantee your entry.
Grab your tickets for the Capilano Suspension Bridge here with FREE 24-hour cancellation.
6. Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip
If you don’t have time to explore Vancouver Island for a few days, it doesn’t mean you can’t visit on a day trip from Vancouver! Victoria is actually BC’s capital city that’s full of history and beauty.
Without a doubt, everyone must visit the island and see the beautiful city of Victoria and, of course, the famous Butchart Gardens!
The Butchart Gardens are nothing short of phenomenal and will likely be the most beautiful gardens you’ve ever seen. There are over 55 acres of gardens, 900 bedding plant varieties, and 26 greenhouses. In fact, it takes over 50 full-time gardeners to maintain them all!
The entrance to the gardens without a tour is $27 to $42 CAD (depending on the dates you visit), but be sure to bring extra money in case you want to have lunch, a glass of wine, or buy a souvenir! Tickets can be bought online or at the gate in person.
You can go on your own, or you can book a Butchart Gardens tour. Tours are the better option since transport is all organized for you – otherwise, it can make for a long and very confusing day! One of the most popular tours from Vancouver to Butchart Gardens is actually this Victoria and Butchart Gardens day tour.
At 13 hours long, it’s certainly filled with fantastic stops, including the scenic ferry to Vancouver Island, a tour of downtown Victoria, and a visit to the gardens. I particularly love this tour as the guides are just so friendly and helpful, and it is a super convenient way to visit Victoria.
Check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews and book your full-day tour here.
7. Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is one of Vancouver’s most popular ski hills. Although a popular ski resort, Grouse Mountain isn’t just for those looking to hit the slopes. In fact, all year round you can ride their Skyride (cable car) to the top of the mountain, where you’ll get views of Vancouver as well as have access to a variety of different activities.
Some of the most popular activities include a visit to the Wildlife Refuge (where you can usually see Grizzly Bears), the Lumber Jack show, ziplining, a ropes course, and even restaurants!
In the winter, the activities differ slightly, but they have an ice skating rink, light walk, snowshoeing, and evening a “Sliding Zone” for sledding.
A ticket costs $87 CAD, including tax, and you can ride the shuttle from downtown to Grouse Mountain for free! Some activities at the top of the mountain are free, while others have an additional fee.
You can skip the line by purchasing your admission tickets to Grouse Mountain online here
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
8. Whistler and Sea to Sky Highway
If you’ve never been to Whistler before, it’s about time to go! Whistler is the cutest mountain town that’s famous for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the summer!
But there are so many things to do in Whistler that you’re guaranteed to find something fun to keep you busy! In fact, just wandering along the pedestrian street in the Village is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. Of course, there are tons of nearby lakes to explore, as well as wildlife to see. This includes lots of bears!
It takes around 2 hours to drive from Vancouver to Whistler. You drive along the Sea to Sky Highway, which is a very scenic drive—you’ll likely stop a lot for photos, so allow extra time.
If you don’t have your own transport, you can visit Whistler on a quick tour from Vancouver. I really like this guided day tour because it includes a stop at the Sea to Sky Gondola.
The Sea to Sky Gondola is a well-known attraction I absolutely loved, and it’s conveniently located on the drive from Vancouver to Whistler. The views were out of this world, and the gondola ride was very affordable, considering how far up the mountain it took us!
After an equally scenic trip up the gondola to the top of Mount Habrich, you’ve now unlocked a ton of trails to explore and can even visit a daunting, but beautiful suspension bridge called the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge!
My favorite trail up here is the Panorama Trail, which leads to a wooden viewing deck with uninterrupted views of Howe Sound. Tickets for the gondola ride start from $72 CAD and should be booked in advance, as this is quite a popular activity.
Again, the best way to visit Whistler and the Sea to Sky Gondola is on this tour from Vancouver. It includes transport to and from the Sea to Sky Gondola (as well as your gondola ticket) before continuing to Whistler and the stunning Brandywine Falls.
Book your gondola ticket here with FREE 24-hour cancellation, or book your full-day tour from Vancouver to enjoy the gondola and more!
9. Seaplane Ride (Floatplane)
One of the most iconic features of Vancouver are the seaplanes that take off and land in the harbor every day, all day. These seaplanes are not only a form of transport but also the gateway to the best seat in the house with views over Vancouver.
To me, this was the most exciting thing I have done in Vancouver, but I kept it further down the list simply because not everyone will be able to do this activity.
The scenic flight I did was the 20-minute Vancouver City seaplane tour. Although short, it was such a fantastic experience, and we got to see so much of the city and surrounding mountains. The best part is, it only cost $177 CAD! Can you believe that?
Aside from the views, taking off and landing on the water was a brand-new experience for me. I must admit, I was a little scared! Don’t worry, though – the pilots are trained professionals.
There are a ton of seaplane tours to choose from in Vancouver, depending on where you’re heading and your budget. There are flights to Tofino, Victoria, Whistler, and even Seattle! There are actually even tours like this full-day experience that combines a seaplane flight with whale watching for a really special day.
You can book the same scenic flight I took here or the flight and whale watching tour here!
10. Gastown Food Tour
Foodies will love Vancouver because there is so much amazing food to try! However, it can be hard to know where even to start. A food tour will let you in on all of the best local spots for amazing food.
When we went on a food tour in Vancouver, we tried everything from sushi to poutine to ice cream (and more!). Our guide was a Vancouver local who had a passion for food and was excited to show us all of his favorite restaurants, which he had taken years to discover.
We went on this food tour while in Vancouver and loved it. We ate so much food that we were stuffed for days (well, not really – but pretty close!) The tour costs around $130-$135 CAD per person, which is pretty good considering it includes so much food!
Our food tour was in Gastown, a beautiful area of downtown Vancouver. Our guide taught us about the area’s history and the best food to try. We ate at several different spots that showcased the best of not only Vancouver cuisine but also iconic Canadian food.
It was a great way to spend a few hours and easily is one of the best things to do in Vancouver (especially if you consider yourself a “foodie!”).
Don’t just take our word for it, read the 1,000+ positive reviews and reserve your spot here!
11. Visit Craft Breweries
The craft beer scene in Canada is booming, and Vancouver is a huge part of it. Around Vancouver, there are dozens of different breweries that you can visit on your own, or, hop on a brewery tour and try some of their locally-made craft beer. We personally always opt for a tour because then we don’t need to worry about who will drive!
This behind-the-scenes craft beer tour will take you to a handful of different breweries around the city, where you can try tons of local beer.
At each brewery, you will get a behind-the-scenes look at how the beer is made – a super cool tour if you ask me! Plus, it includes transport so you can drink as much as you want without having to worry about a designated driver. Tickets for this tour cost $125 CAD per person.
Discover the best of Vancouver’s beer scene with this top-rated tour – book it here!
Renting a Car in British Columbia
If you’re arriving in British Columbia via plane, then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough. British Columbia is a large province, and traveling between the best places to visit in BC requires transport. Although you can use public transport on some occasions, this means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Car rental in Canada isn’t relatively cheap, but it’s not that expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with a pick-up and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though, depending on the time of year. For car rentals, I use the website Discover Cars. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used Discover Cars all over the world, including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic, you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Read my tips on using Motorhome Republic here before you book!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks so much for reading our guide to all of the best things to do in Vancouver, Canada! We really hope this has helped inspire your visit here. We really love Vancouver and are sure you will too!
If you have any questions, just leave a comment below and we will get back to you! Also, if you loved this travel guide, jump over and check out all our other Canada travel guides or these related articles below.
How to Spend One Day in Vancouver, BC: An Ideal 1-Day Itinerary
Renee
Friday 11th of October 2024
Hi, great article! What are the differences between #7 and8 and which one should we do if time only allows one? Thank you!
Destinationless Travel
Monday 14th of October 2024
Hey Renee,
The Sea to Sky Gondola is between Vancouver and Whistler and the Grouse Gondola is in North Vancouver. There is more to do at the top of the Grouse Gondola and you can see the bears which is nice. The Sea to Sky Gondola has a more jaw dropping view. Overall though, I would say the Grouse Gondola offers more for first time visitors.
Thanks Bailey